Where to start with The Hanoi Bicycle Collective? This bicycle shop / rental store / cafe / bar / entertainment venue really does cover all the bases, but my write-up was inspired primarily by the rental opportunity. I’ve written before about biking around West Lake and The Hanoi Bicycle Collection is a great place to … read the full post

Sapa is a one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations, but with no nearby airport the only option for getting there is to travel by road or rail and, despite being only 380 kilometres from Hanoi, it’s a time-consuming exercise whichever route you take, so choose carefully. Most visitors choose to get from Hanoi to Sapa … read the full post

Ignoring the gaggles (for want of a better collective noun) of cyclos carrying tour groups, which clog up streets all over Hoan Kiem district, I’m a fan of cyclo rides and think it’s worth taking a cyclo for an hour or so at the start of a visit to Hanoi. Some will say walking is … read the full post

A couple of years ago, vehicles reminiscent of golf buggies started appearing on the streets of Hanoi. As if the motorbikes, bicycles, cyclos, cars, buses and trucks weren’t enough. But I mustn’t complain, the carts are there in the name of green tourism: Hanoi’s attempt to cut down on the pollution caused by the other … read the full post

Last week I was fortunate enough to be able to join a team of doctors going to Ha Giang (in northwest Vietnam) to carry out surgeries on children from the mountain, supported by Child Surgeries Vietnam and HIWC. Not only was this an amazing trip from the point of view of the surgeries but it … read the full post

Efficiency of check-in at Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport is hit and miss, and this can lead to frustration, so there’s a certain advantage to checking-in before you arrive. Jetstar doesn’t offer a web check-in but does have a check-in desk at its office at 206 Tran Quang Khai, on the main road just north of … read the full post

An often-asked question on the Travelfish.org Vietnam forum is, “Should I book my flights in advance or when I get to Vietnam?” The answer depends on a number of factors, most notably when and where you want to fly, how flexible your flight times are and what your budget is. So it’s not an easy … read the full post

Some tips for transporting your motorbike on a train from Lao Cai to Hanoi

Problems with hiring a self-drive car and the benefits of hiring a car and driver.

Wearing a helmet on a motorbike has been law in Vietnam since 2007. This applies to drivers and passengers over the age of six. Officials estimate that about 90% or riders now comply with this law and, given they save lives, you’d be daft not to wear one too. If you hire a bike it should come … read the full post